All the smoking and drinking we see on our screens locally may turn out to be highly risky for the influencers who post such content.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has issued a stern warning against content creators who promote drug and substance abuse.
In a statement released on September 23, the authority noted that there is an increasing trend among social and digital influencers in promoting the vices.
“Such content, often directed at young audiences, poses a significant threat to the fight against alcohol and drug abuse, while undermining the efforts to protect vulnerable groups, especially children, from these harmful influences.”
NACADA further alerted influencers that promotion of alcohol and drug use goes against the law, and is a punishable offense, specifically under the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2010 (ADCA) and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, 1994.
“[We] implore upon influencers and content creators upon using their platforms to normalize and glorify drug use,” the statement, signed by NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa, added.
The authority also asked parents and guardians to closely monitor the content their children are exposed to online, particularly on social media platforms.
“Social media platforms and digital content creators have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and promote healthy behaviours among their audiences.”
Rehabilitation organization Royal Life Centers notes that drug culture is a subculture of popular culture, meaning we see it everywhere- in the press, on the radio, in films, on TV and on the Internet.
“Many people turn to subcultures like drug and drinking cultures as a source of social support and cultural activities that make these people feel like they belong somewhere, or ‘fit in.’”” the report notes.
“The danger of subcultures like these is the toleration and promotion of harmful activities like using drugs and alcohol to socialize. Socializing no longer becomes the objective, but using drugs and alcohol together becomes the objective- with socialization being an after effect.”
